ESQ&A: The New York Knicks' J.R. Smith

It's nearly playoff time, and the New York Knicks are in top form. In particular, shooting guard J.R. Smith (who's coming off back-to-back 30-plus scoring nights, a first of his career). Off the court — along with fellow teammates Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire — Smith is a style star, known for his playful downtown approach to dressing. Lady Esuire caught up with him in the locker room Wednesday night after a roaring win over the Memphis Grizzlies — one that extended their winning streak to six games — where they chatted about fashion disasters, the best and worst tattoos in the league, and, of course, the NCAA tournament.

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Esquire.com: So, we're big fans and follow you on Twitter and Instagram, and a little picture popped up on our feed last week of your coach Mike Woodson in what you described (via hashtag) as one of the #Top5WorstShirtsIveSeenInMyLife. Hilarious and, well, accurate in our opinion. But what was it about that shirt that made you want to call it out over social media? The polka dots?

J.R. Smith: Yeah, I mean, it was bad. And it wasn't even polka dots, it was this weird honeycomb or bumble bee hive print. It was just terrible. I couldn't support that.

ESQ: So you obviously have a good relationship with him if you're comfortable enough to put him on blast to your 300,000-plus followers. What was his response?

Smith: [Laughs.] He told he was going to sue me next time. No, we laughed it off.

ESQ: Does he usually dress well? Or was this normal for him?

Smith: It was definitely out of the ordinary for him. On game days he's always in a nice suit and dress shirt. But this was a travel day and he usually wears some kind of Knicks sweats, so I don't know what inspired him to wear that. [Shakes his head.] But I wasn't having it.

ESQ: So the tweet said it was one of the five worst shirts — can you recall any of the other offending shirts that might round out that list? Or maybe any other memorable bad wardrobe decisions you've seen?

Smith: Well, we have a lot of "fashion guys" on our team, but in this locker room alone I have seen some terrible, terrible outfits.

ESQ: Oh, Really? Care to name names?

Smith: Well, everyone knows that Tyson (Chandler) has a look that's a little out there, a little advanced. I mean, most of the time I look at him and, well, I wouldn't wear it — but to each his own. One time he had on this shirt that was down to his knees, an A$AP Rocky fitted T-shirt, with long shorts and combat boots. I don't know what he was going for with that look.

ESQ: Nice.

Smith: No, it was not nice. [Shakes his head.]

ESQ: What do you say to your teammates when they show up in ridiculous rigs like that?

Smith: I say, Really?! That's what what you decided to wear to the game? That's what you laid out on your bed to wear?

ESQ: So what's your personal philosophy for dressing on game day?

Smith: My looks vary but I definitely think about it and plan. I like to shop, too, so I'm always mixing it up. But normally I'll be wearing something like a college T-shirt and a sweater, something like that. But I definitely have to plan.

ESQ: I saw you at New York Fashion Week this past season, at Robert Geller. Great of you to support American and New York labels. Do you have any favorites?

Smith: Yeah, I like Public School and En Noir. I'm into the whole American and New York vibe, not just because that's what's going on around me but because of the fit. A lot of guys are into the European cut but I can't really pull that off with my body type — I'm tall and have big legs.

ESQ: But you're experimental in other ways …

Smith: Oh yeah, I mean, I like color, I'm definitely not afraid to wear color. But I just don't like to match my colors from head-to-toe. Like I'll wear a bright sweater with pants that are a more classic color.

ESQ: What about tailoring, any go-to's for suits?

Smith: No, not really — I wear suits very sporadically, it's not really my style. I leave that to Jason Kidd.

ESQ: Beyond your game and your style, you're also known for your tattoos. Besides your own, who has the best — and worst — tattoos in the NBA?

Smith: Chris Andersen (of the Miami Heat) has great tattoos. His have a lot of really great detail. We actually went to the same tattoo guy at one point in Denver. The worst… well, Brandon Bass (of the Boston Celtics) has some pretty bad tattoos. He has one that I think is supposed to be a portrait that he had done in high school, and, well, tattoo artists weren't as advanced as they are now. It's definitely not good work, it's terrible.

ESQ: Victor Cruz is a good friend. Is fashion something you two connect on?

Smith: Yeah, we talk about fashion all the time. We definitely have similar aesthetics: He's a sneaker-head like I am, but we're both starting to transition into other things. I was kinda jealous, though, because he went to fashion week in Milan. I didn't get the chance to go because of the season, but I'm definitely going this summer.